Iris Family [Iridaceae] |
status
flower
inner
inner
morph
petals
(3 + 3)type
stem
rarity
sex
7th July 2016, Shatterford, South Hampshire. | Photo: (CC by 2.0) Geoff Toone |
These plants like to grow in heathy places beneath Bracken in scrub, as here. The plant grows to 50cm high, occasionally up to 90cm. |
Unknown date, New Forest, Hampshire. | Photo: © Peter Andrews |
There are between 3 and 6 flowers in a spike, here 4. |
7th July 2016, Shatterford, South Hampshire. | Photo: (CC by 2.0) Geoff Toone |
The flowers are zygomorphic and initially a slightly drooping trumpet shape. Note the two pale, pointed, semi-translucent sheaths/bracts either side of a flower stalk with their tips often purple. |
7th July 2016, Shatterford, South Hampshire. | Photo: (CC by 2.0) Geoff Toone |
There are 6 petals on each flower: the central one shows 3 lower petals and 3 upper petals, the furthest one mostly hidden by the other two.
Looking at the bottom flower: there are three petals near the top, a cowl beneath which the indigo-coloured sexual organs lurk (just visible here). Dangling almost vertically downwards beneath those are 3 other petals. |
6th July 2011, Burley, Hampshire | Photo: © Dawn Nelson |
There are supposed to be 6 petals per flower, the lower three are overlapping somewhat. Two of them are shaped a bit like canoes with the petal curled up at the 2 sides. Their sexual organs are hiding beneath the topmost petal. |
6th July 2011, Burley, Hampshire | Photo: © Dawn Nelson |
As the petals age they turn mauve to purple. The opened up flower is between 3.5 to 5cm across with the lobes themselves being between 2.5 and 4cm long and 0.6 to 1.6 cm wide.. The stems are pale green.
You can just make out some sexual organs just beneath the topmost petal (here slightly purple pink) |
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Gladiolus | illyricus | ⇐ Global Aspect ⇒ | Iridaceae |
Gladiolus (Gladiolus) |
Iris Family [Iridaceae] |